aved a photographer over for pictures. He took one with Cayla and another with Cody and Nathan.
“Let me make introductions. Cayla, this is Nathan and Cody. Cody is the owner, founder, and CEO of Powers Men’s Magazine, and Nathan is the CFO.” She shook their hands, lingering with Nathan a little longer than necessary. “Guys, this is my girlfriend, Cayla.”
Her hand slipped out of his. “Girlfriend? We didn’t discuss that, Dex.” There it was; his bad feeling now had a name and an occurrence. If there is a feeling midrange between embarrassment and mortification, he was there. She wasn’t finished. “You can’t give titles without the other’s consent.”
She didn’t say it as a sidebar; she didn’t whisper it. No, she went a level above a conversational tone. Not only did Cody, the young male version of Anna Wintour of the men’s fashion world, hear her, but so did a few nearby people, including his future director.
He could deal with the embarrassment had she looked apologetic for realizing what she’d just done. As usual, hot-headed Cayla didn’t see the issue she caused. She challenged him with a look that dared him to argue with her. This is how the term backstabbing originated. The pain was sharp as if he had actually been cut. Here he was, ready to propose, and she was trying to deny him in front to a prospective black male suitor.
“Well, let me get the hell out of your way, Cayla. You were wrong in the sauna, Nathan. I am no competition at all. Cody, let’s grab a drink, so they can get acquainted.”
Cody’s eyebrow shot up, but he followed. “What was that about?” he whispered.
Dex bottled his hurt and anger. He must charm the people at the party. He could not let personal shit get in the way. He responded to Cody just to get it off his chest since he and Nathan were the closest things to a friend at the party.
“I told y’all some of the drama in the sauna already. The main point is she is stuck on the idea that she is supposed to be with a black man. I’d thought she’d moved past that in the last month, Nathan’s appearance just proved me terribly wrong.”
Cody looked at him apologetically. At 35, he was nine years Dex’s senior. “I saw you two earlier. I think she really does care about you. Sometimes, people need time to grow mentally.”
Dex ordered a drink and scoffed. “She has a messed-up way of showing it. Plus, this isn’t her first infraction.”
“Nathan wouldn’t really take her from you.”
“I know. His good guy-ness radiates off him, which is what makes him perfect in her eyes.”
“They’re approaching. What are you going to do?”
Dex pushed away the dark thoughts forming in his mind. He couldn’t succumb to the hurt of rejection and his breaking heart. Later, in the dark, he’d confront his feelings. He must keep moving forward.
Dex kicked back his shot and let it burn on its way down. “Focus on my career. I’m done.”
Chapter 33
Cayla balled her fists and released them. Did he really just pass her off to Nathan like his personal whore he shared with his friends? She called him out on one thing, and he’d abandoned her. Now he’s at the bar drinking and talking to Cody as if she were nothing to him. Why was she there? She shifted her embarrassed eyes over to a grinning Nathan. He wasn’t a grin that displayed interest in her; it was an amused grin.
“Well, you make quite an entrance.” He laughed, displaying his gorgeous smile.
Cayla had to shelf her irritation at Dex to concentrate on what he was saying. “What do you mean?” Nathan was damn hot, but her anger didn’t let her appreciate it.
“How old are you?” he countered.
“Twenty-six. Why?”
“I remember being twenty-six. Is this your first event of this caliber?”
“Yes...” Was it that obvious?
“The way he left may have been harsh, but Dex is a good guy. He will have to attend a lot of these events. You don’t seem prepared for that.” He was speaking to her like a well-meaning big brother.
“What?” She looked down at her outfit.
“Mentally,” he corrected. His smile deepened when she frowned at him. “I’m not being mean. I’m just trying to help. You’re obviously mad at him for the way he just left so you may not receive this information from him.”
“What am I supposed to receive?” Cayla’s question was curt.
“You are the date of the guest of honor. Your job as his date is to make him look good, not challenge or embarrass him.”
“I’m supposed to be silent, you mean?” Cayla didn’t like how Nathan was coming off all chauvinistic in his advice.